The Neurodiversity Thread

[iLoveMeSomeCanoles]

Are youtube videos an option? There is a woman on YT called Olivia Hops who was diagnosed at 25 and she does marvellous videos

They might be a good option, thanks, I'll check them out

 

[Jellybean093]

Hi all
I’m not sure if this is the best thread, but just after some advice for my 13 yo daughter
I think she may have ADHD, but I don’t know where to start and who to turn to. I have struggled with her for years, but just googling adhd in girls, she does have a few signs
I’d be really grateful (and hope you don’t mind me asking) if some of you could tell me what symptoms (sorry if the wrong word) you have of adhd?
Family background - her dad had (has? Not sure if it will ever go and we’ve been split up for 12yrs) it and was diagnosed when he was early teens
I’m not sure who to go to, as her teachers don’t see her the way she is at home
I really appreciate any answers and sorry if I offend anyone x

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Yeah I brought @TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo over here from the I’m a celeb thread as she said as an autistic person herself she thought Matt H might be autistic and I said he had too much of an understanding of people’s motives and feelings. But it’s interesting how some people have weaker neurodivergent traits and stronger ones rather than coming as a whole package

To be honest, 'diagnosing' people off their appearance on TV is fraught with danger. It's only a snap shot of them we see. I'd just happened to notice something in his behaviour that was familiar to me, having witnessed it in my children and somebody else mentioned something so I gave my thoughts.

I also think that the diagnosis threshold is there for a reason. As I mentioned last night, one thing that puts me off persuing my own diagnosis is if there is any point now. It may well have helped me when I was younger but as an adult it's not overly problematic for me other than adding to my sense of self and belonging I suppose. It's not something I've really discussed outside of a few close friends and family but I think if pushed I'd identify, or certainly explain why I felt I fit more as ND rather than NT. Certainly from an ADHD perspective. I'm less certain about ASD. However, even discussing it anonymously on here feels a bit fraudulent without a proper diagnosis.

Whereas for someone else they may really need the diagnosis because it is impacting them. For example, my eldest had significant difficulties growing up and will need support his entire life. There is no way he would have managed without a diagnosis. The same can be said of my other two who are diagnosed. There was simply never a question over whether they needed to be. It was clear they'd need extra support.

The genetic element is of interest to me too. ASD and ADHD traits are quite obvious (with the benefit of hindsight) throughout the generations in my family but they have been comparatively minor until my children. I do wonder how it will develop in future generations. Watching your child struggle is horrible and it saddens me that my children may have to see their children go through the same thing (should they chose to have them). As an example of the variation of need, all three of mine have the same diagnoses but their needs and difficulties are very different from each other.

In all honesty, I haven't spent an awful lot of time in the past thinking about it. It's just existed in the background. It's only come to the fore now because I'm going through quite a stressful time and my potential diagnosis was used against me in quite a horrible way by the person I was suppost to be most able to trust and confide in. It's helped to blurt it out on the threads here because there's nowhere else I feel I can direct it and I need to talk about it to process it if that makes sense.

 

[Halliestar]

Does anyone have experience with children that stim?
I’ve had a look on Google and I’m not sure if my son has it how ever ever since he was one he’s constantly chattering his teeth, I’ve had people notice and comment on it, his old teacher had noticed it as well. You tell him to stop but within a few minuets he’s doing it again. I’ll go and pick him up from school and as he’s waiting to be let out onto the playground he’s chattering his teeth, I’ve got videos of him from his school plays and while he’s singing he’s still chattering his teeth together. When he talks half the time he will also be doing it. He also hums constantly as well when he’s concentrating on something and playing on his tablet which can then set his teeth off again with the chattering.
He’s really good at remembering songs he’s just heard, not the words but the tune, he will hum to it and get it spot on straight away, he’s the same with the music on adverts.


He often gets confused with things as well like everything will be “yesterday I did this” when he’s referring to something from ages ago. Although his old teacher had picked up on some of these things nothing came about it when I asked, all she said was it could be a comfort thing regarding the teeth chattering, so I’m unsure if to mention it to his new teacher and see what she thinks.

He’s also a nail biter! Constantly biting his nails which got mentioned when I did some Googling

 

[shadowcat5]

we don’t really have many GPs in our area, i have contacted the health visitor and i’m expecting a call back if i get no joy there i think this might be something i need to consider for sure! thank you.


thank you, i’ve tried the stuff i said plus a worry monster and an emotional octopus thing (which sometimes he does use), popits, fidget spinners, and just talking to him and telling him it’s ok to have these feelings and he can speak to me or any other grown up or if he doesn’t want to speak that’s ok too he can take time out, but nothing seems to help

yeah he is quite happy to play alone to be fair

that’s a very good point about the sleeping actually, i didn’t think of it like that.

i know i wish i could get inside his little brain and see the world through his eyes so i could give him all the help he needs

thank you for your help, i really appreciate it x

I wish I could be more help tbh! Do you think he might settle a bit when he’s older or even through the coming months? Back to school is a huge adjustment anyway for kids his age, plus with his differences on top of that